“History maker” is Swerve Strickland’s two-word self-description on his X account @swerveconfident.

He’s not wrong.

Swerve isn’t just the first African-American world champion in the AEW men’s division. He continues to blaze a unique trail both in and out of the ring through a relentless work ethic and quest for greatness.

A military brat who spent seven years of his childhood in Germany, Swerve followed in his father’s footsteps after graduating from high school by enrolling in the U.S. Army reserves. He began pro wrestling training while serving as a 25U signal support systems specialist and debuted in 2011.

Gradually climbing the ladder of success, Swerve truly hit his stride after signing with AEW in March 2022. Within the next 13 months, Swerve would become an AEW world tag team champion and form a highly success partnership -- the aptly named Mogul Embassy -- with his manager Prince Nana. A victory over Samoa Joe to win the AEW world title at AEW Dynasty, a headlining All In spot versus Bryan Danielson in front of more than 50,000 people at London’s Wembley Stadium and the continuation of what is now a legendary feud with Hangman Adam Page would follow in 2024.

Swerve has used his AEW platform to grow a burgeoning music career under the stage name Swerve the Realest highlighted thus far by his Big Pressure entrance music performed with rapper Flash Garments and performance at the 2024 Rolling Loud hip-hop festival. Swerve has a role in the 2023 horror movie Night of the Missing. A documentary of his life is in the works by Academy Award-nominated producers the Lucas Brothers. An AEW-Reebok collaboration led to the 2025 release of his Reebok Answer III sneaker that Swerve personally curated.

And if all this wasn’t keeping him busy enough, Swerve is one of the most popular talents for media and public appearances representing AEW, including having the chance to throw out opening pitches for three Major League Baseball teams (Texas, St. Louis and Miami).